I have been researching this quite a bit, as well. With all due respect to the prior posters, if the OP was interested in the Zen MiniS, it does feature an SSD and an upgraded 8GB of memory, at least as I understand it.
Also, if you don’t need the 4TB edition, even with the upgraded LPSU, it is cheaper than the Small Green Computer. Or, get the MiniS now, and upgrade the power supply later. There would also be a reduction in cables and connections with a one (or 2) box solution. Just my .02.
ZEN Mini S vs. Small Green Computer Sonic Transporter i5 music server/Ultra Rendu Streamer
Good evening forum members.
Looking for any experience and/or opinions on these two music servers/players/streamers.
My plan is to rip 3,000 rare and collectible CDs to FLAC files or better. I would also like to integrate Tidal and Qobuz into the mix using Roon.
The ZEN Mini S has a built in CD ripper/server/streamer ($3,548 total cost). The SGC Sonic Transporter server and Ultra Rendu streamer bundle does not have a built in CD ripper.
I'm leaning towards the SGC Sonic Transporter/Ultra Rendu Streamer because of the following:
- Cost. the cost for the SGC ST/Ultra Rendu option is $2,097, which includes the server and streamer, plus a linear PSU. The ZEN Mini S is $3,548 all up (ripper, server, streamer, etc.). This amounts to a $1,451 difference in price.
Subtract from this difference the cost of an internal 4TB SSD ($300), an external and portable 4TB SSD ($300), dbpoweramp ripping and music management software ($75), and a USB CD/DVD drive ($75) and the difference is now becomes $701 between the ZEN Mini S and the Small Green Computer solution. Significant.
- My preference is to rip the CDs using my Windows laptop (no additional cost), the portable 4TB SSD, a better, well-known software package, and a USB CD drive at my desk. This is it more significantly more convenient and ergonomically friendly to my bad back.
My plan is to transfer the ripped files from the portable 4TB SSD to the ST i5 internal 4TB SSD in my stereo cabinet when done, Going forward, I don't plan on buying any more CDs and will fill in the gaps and explore new music with Tidal and Qobuz.
- features on the ZEN Mini S ripping software are unknown. dbpoweramp is a well known product with a plethora of useful features.
- the CD Drive used in the ZEN Mini is $240 when bought separately. This is significantly more than a good USB CD/DVD drive ~ $75.
My main system is a Rotel Pre-amp, Rotel Power-amp, B&W 804 speakers, an Oppo 105 SACD/DVD-Audio/CD/Blu-ray player, EAT C-Sharp turntable and a Sutherland Phono Pre-amp.
Your thoughts on anything I've discussed above? I am not a DIY type and prefer an out of the box solution.
Thanks for your help!
Rich
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@bondmanp thank you for your feedback. I'm leaning towards the i5 over the ZEN at this point. I need to talk to Andrew at SGC first, as I have a few questions for him. I want to get your opinion on my approach if I go the i5 route. My thoughts are to use dbpoweramp to start ripping my CDs to a WD 4TB My Passport SSD using my Windows laptop. I am recovering from three spinal fractures (long story) and it's just ergonomically easier to use this set up over ripping files to the i5. Once I get a decent number of CDs loaded, I would transfer them to the i5 internal drive via USB. I'd repeat the process over time to eventually rip the 3,000 or so CDs I want to stream via the UltraRendu or OpticalRendu. During this time I may buy a new MacBook Pro as I prefer Mac to Windows. I know dbpoweramp comes in a bundle with both the Windows and MAC versions included. Do you foresee a compatibility issue with the files ripped on Windows now and then a MAC in the future using different versions of the same software? I know you're not a dbpoweramp user so it's probably not a fair question to ask. No worries, I can contact them for information. A couple of questions: - do I have to subscribe to Roon before I start ripping CDs? I don't anticipate that I will begin streaming to the UltraRendu or OpticalRendu for at least three to six months. - since I will have all my FLAC files on the WD 4TB My Passport SSD from the original desktop rip, do I still need to purchase another 4TB SSD to back up my integrated Roon library (ripped files, Qobuz and Tidal playlists). My guess is "yes" but I wanted to make sure. Thanks, Rich
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I used an old Vortexbox appliance with Squeezebox Touch from SGC for 10 years before upgrading to the i5 and Roon. No issues transferring files over. Ran my backup drive into the i5. Even with USB 2, it took a couple of days. I used to use dBPoweramp, but just don't feel the need for it. As long as everything is in FLAC, you should be fine. I can't speak for ALAC or Apple, though. Yes, you should have a backup drive, or even two. |
@forestg thanks. Was not aware of the ability to upgrade to SSD on the ZENmini S. Is this upgrade path available for the ZEN model as well? |
If going with Sonore, why not look at the opticalRendu. I had both the ultraRendu and opticalRendu and found the optical version to be superior. Much lower noise floor. Also if you go with the sonicTransporter please make sure you get the LPS (also sold by SGC). The LPS made a substantial improvement in my system. Good luck. |
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